#11 Crisis Comms: How to Avoid a PR Disaster with Andy Barr

Lou & Steve welcome Andy Barr, the CEO of the award-winning agency 10 Yetis Digital. With nearly 20 years of experience in the industry, Andy shares his insights on digital PR, crisis communications and the evolution of the field. We kick off the conversation by discussing Andy’s diverse background, which includes stints in political analysis and financial services before he ventured into the world of PR. He reflects on how he transitioned from crisis communications to digital PR, emphasising the importance of links and SEO in modern PR strategies. Throughout, Andy offers practical advice on handling PR crises, emphasising transparency and the importance of not lying to cover up mistakes.

00:00:07 - Welcome to Season 2 Louise Parker and Steve Baker introduce the second season of the Digital PR Podcast, highlighting exciting topics and their new sponsor, Coveragebook.

00:02:04 - Meet Andy Barr Andy Barr, CEO of 10 Yetis Digital, shares his extensive background in PR, from political analysis to crisis communications, and his journey into digital PR.

00:05:50 - The Evolution of Digital PR Andy discusses the emergence of digital PR, its relationship with traditional PR, and how the focus on SEO and links has transformed the industry.

00:10:31 - Common PR Missteps The hosts and Andy explore frequent mistakes in PR, including the pitfalls of automated outreach and the importance of targeted communication with journalists.

00:39:54 - The Future of Digital PR Andy shares his insights on the future of digital PR, touching on the ongoing relevance of links and the potential impact of AI on the industry.

Check out the full transcript here.

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About the Digital PR Podcast

Hosted by our very own Heads of PR, Lou and Steve, we recorded our first episode of the Digital PR Podcast back in December 2022, and have had some fascinating conversations with movers and shakers from the PR industry in the UK and further afield, sharing their knowledge and experiences.

To let us know about any topics you’d like us to cover or guests you’d like to see (maybe you’d like to be a guest yourself?) drop us a line at dprpodcast@propellernet.co.uk. If you’re really enjoying the show, make sure to rate the podcast 5 stars and leave us a review.

The Digital PR Podcast is brought to you by Propellernet and sponsored by Coverage Book. You can also watch on Youtube as a video podcast.

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